In an interesting development, Namibia has appointed 17-year-old Faf du Plessis as the captain of their Under-19 cricket team for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. This young cricketer shares his name with the renowned South African batsman Faf du Plessis, but they are distinct individuals. The Namibian du Plessis is a right-handed batter and leg-break bowler, having represented Namibia U-19 in three matches before this appointment.
Under his leadership, Namibia will compete in the Division 1 Qualifiers against teams like Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda. Their campaign kicks off on March 28 against Nigeria in Lagos, Nigeria. The winner of this round will secure a spot in the 2026 U-19 World Cup.
Notably, Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host the 2026 U-19 World Cup. While Zimbabwe has direct qualification as a host nation, Namibia must earn its place through these qualifiers. If successful, Namibia will have the unique opportunity to compete as co-hosts in the tournament.
This appointment highlights Namibia’s commitment to nurturing young talent and its ambition to make a mark on the global cricket stage.
